Northwestern College vs. PLU

Northwestern College and Pacific Lutheran University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern College
Pacific Lutheran University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: PLU (78% admitted vs 80.4%). Typical SAT 1150 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: PLU. Average net price is $22,299 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs PLU 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs PLU $52,300 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern College Pacific Lutheran University
Acceptance rate
PLU more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
PLU78%
SAT range (middle 50%)
PLU higher
Northwestern College940-1240
PLU1040-1260
Average net price
PLU $4,048 less
Northwestern College$26,347
PLU$22,299
In-state tuition
Northwestern College $15,544 less
Northwestern College$36,710
PLU$52,254
Out-of-state tuition
Northwestern College $15,544 less
Northwestern College$36,710
PLU$52,254
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +0 pts
Northwestern College66%
PLU66%
Median earnings (10 years)
PLU +$13,900
Northwestern College$38,400
PLU$52,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • PLU 4,992
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • PLU 3,895
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • PLU 78%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • PLU 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • PLU 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • PLU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • PLU 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • PLU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • PLU Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • PLU
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • PLU 1040-1260
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • PLU 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • PLU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • PLU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • PLU $52,254
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • PLU $52,254
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • PLU $13,008
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • PLU $22,299
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • PLU $40,573
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • PLU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • PLU 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • PLU $52,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • PLU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • PLU $25,800
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • PLU $266
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • PLU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • PLU
    • Business (14%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • PLU Tacoma, WA
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • PLU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • PLU 2,797
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • PLU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • PLU #395

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 16.2% lower than at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,900 vs. $13,008).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 42.3% higher at PLU than at Northwestern College (about $15,544 more per year; $52,254 vs. $36,710).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 72.4% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($40,573 vs. $23,537).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at PLU than at Northwestern College (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at PLU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at PLU average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Northwestern College (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $708 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($25,092 vs. $25,800).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($259 vs. $266).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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